Proposal to increase women's reservation in urban bodies to 50

A proposal for increasing representation of women in urban local bodies from the present 33 per cent to 50 per cent is under consideration, government said today.
"Ministry of Urban Development has informed that the Government is considering a proposal for increasing representation of women in urban local bodies from the present 33 per cent to 50 per cent through an amendment to article 243T of the Constitution," Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi informed the Rajya Sabha.
Replying to a question on Women Reservation Bill, Gandhi said it has been endeavour of the government to provide for reservation of one-third of seats for women in Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies.

"The issue needs careful consideration on the basis of consensus among all the political parties before a Bill for amendment in the Constitution is brought before Parliament," she said.
Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, has informed that a Bill, namely, the Constitution (One Hundred and Eight Amendment) Bill, 2008 was introduced in Rajya Sabha on 6th May, 2008 by the Ministry of Law and Justice, she said.
"The Rajya Sabha passed the said Bill on 9th March, 2010, but it could not be passed by the fifteenth Lok Sabha. The said Bill lapsed on dissolution of the fifteenth Lok Sabha," she said.

In another reply, Gandhi also said the ministry is considering taking up a proposal for age relaxation for widows for employment in government and central PSUs.
"The Ministry is also considering moving a proposal for tax rebates for single women who are having children. These are at a preliminary stage and formal proposals have not yet been prepared," she added.